Review sample provided by Laiv Audio
Retail price: 2.700 USD + VAT (2.999 euro in EU)
About Laiv
Laiv was founded in 2023 and operates from Singapore. Building on an extensive background in industrial automation, the company is passionate about revolutionizing the world of audio through innovative and user-centric design in which technology adapts to us, not the other way around. The goal is to create audio products that seamlessly integrate into our lives, enhance our experiences, and deliver uncompromising sound quality.
An essential mission statement is that Quality is non-negotiable at LAIV. The company is firmly committed to providing audio products that not only meet but exceed user expectations. And I must say, from the very first moment I started unpacking the unit, it was clear that this objective had indeed been met!
Harmony Range
The Harmony DAC, the subject of this review, is one of several products in the Harmony range. The DAC and HP2A Headphone Amplifier are available now. Soon, the LExt HP2A extension (not further specified), the GaNM mono power amplifiers, and the NET2 network streamer will be available soon.
Harmony DAC – Unpacking
The premium user experience starts with the product’s packaging, which is a beautiful black and gold laminated hard carton case.
All accessories are packed very carefully, with pull tabs in all the suitable locations.
The Infrared Remote Control is an object of beauty, designed for simplicity and ease of use. With convenient keys for standard functions and customizable buttons, navigating the device is effortless. Controlling two products using a toggle switch offers enhanced convenience and efficiency.
The ergonomics-centered design even includes an alignment card for the three Laiv-branded Spike discs.
Using the alignment card, the discs can be placed correctly before positioning the DAC, minimizing the risk of damage to the rack surface.
Clever in its simplicity: with the DAC in its final position, the card can be removed by simply pulling it forward.
A quick-start guide and a welcome card with a QR code leading to further online information are included. A nice extra touch is that the Certificate of Authenticity is also made from aluminum!
Next: Design and Technical Aspects
Nice review, thanks! Questions: how would you describe the sound stage (width/depth) of the Harmony? What qualities will improve when switching to a CNO DAC (like TOTL Wadax, Taiko, MSB etc)?
Hi Vincent, the Harmony DAC sounds upfront and well-focused. The stage is not narrow although some DACs in the same price range can sound wider. On the other hand, those DACs are invariably also less resolving. The Aqua Formula xHD has a deeper soundstage but it does not feel as crisp and direct as the Harmony DAC.
I don’t think people entertaining Wadax, MSB, or CH will consider a 2700-euro DAC, but I can see how it may be of interest the other way around. If you’re interested to know how close the Laiv gets to reference performance, I can say closer than one might expect given the large price disparity, but certainly not as close to make me want to switch. All brands and DACs have their inherent qualities, but overall, what you often gain in the ultra high end compared to medium-priced products is increased naturalness, refinement, soundstaging, and air. Interestingly, I find there’s not often a huge increase in resolution.
Your statements regarding USB cables and power cables are laughably ridiculous. How gullible do you think your readers are? How about we do a truly blind test of these cables? I’ll gladly wager real money that the author cannot tell one cable from the next. Real money wager. Please take me up on it.
Hi Christiaan,
what I missed was a comparison vs the Aqua Formula DAC.
So if you did this comparison without mentioning it in the review I am very curious to get some info about this comparison. I ask since you compared another DAC which is on my shortlist vs the Aqua Formula. Thank you.
The Laiv Harmony and Aqua Formula xHD are in such a different price class that I feel it would not make much sense comparing them. I know I have, and often still do involve ultra-high-end equipment in affordable equipment reviews, but it depends on the circumstances, and whether I feel it is needed to bring the message across. At the end of the day, I can do comparisons forever, but I’ve been told my reviews are already quite long;-). In a nutshell: the Formula xHD sounds fuller, sweeter, and more laidback with deeper staging, whereas the Laiv is crisper and more direct and upfront. The resolution between the two is comparable although the Laiv can appear clearer due to its crisp presentation.
Hi Christiaan,
Your observations on improvements depending on inputs used, that is coaxial versus USB are well noted. I would love to see the same with respect to I2S
Kindest Regards
Hi Tim, Good point! I forgot testing that, but will do! Please expect an update of the review within the next hours:-).
Hi Christiaan,
I like very much your reviews since you are a reviewer who does very valid comparisons. Many reviewers don’t dare to compare devices.
However, I would like to suggest that every device under review gets a comparison versus your reference components in your main system even when there is a big price difference. This would be very helpful.
Thank you very much.
Hi Matt, I will surely involve the CH C1.2 when I see a need for it. For instance, when reviewing other reference-class DACs. Another circumstance could be when a cheaper DAC outperforms the more expensive one. In that case, I will definitely mention this. However, in this case, where the balance is as one would expect with such an expensive DAC, with the CH performing on a higher overall level, mentioning this doesn’t add anything in my opinion.
Great review! I love this DAC
A typically excellent and thorough review thanks Christian and a very stylish Dac. I can see it making a lot of listeners happy eyes and ears both.
Cheers,
Jon
Hi…now there is very interesting things with all these R2r dacs and this price niche of a Laiv Harmony – as you allready tested bunch of Denafrips dacs and from price point i think this Laiv is in line with Denafrips Venus how you would compate this two (btw it look that new Pontus 15th is a Venus 12th in a box of Pontus) ….Thank you in advance….
Hi Denis, I have not heard the Pontus 15th and do not know the specifics. The latest model iterations sure are making things confusing. In any case, I have written a few words about Denafrips versus Laiv in the review above.
Hi Christiaan,
Very nice review!
I just switched from Naïm to Audionet Humboldt. Speakers Magico S3mk2.
Streamer NDX2 has to go soon.
Do you think the Harmony DAC is a good match? Thinking of buying a Grimm MU1. Or do you have other sugestions?
Thank you in advance!
Kind Regards
Olivier
Hi Olivier, I think the Harmony DAC will work very well with Magico S3 MkII. The Grimm MU1 is one of the best Roon servers I know at the price point. Whether or not it is ideal for you depends on your personal preferences. Some Roon servers, such as those by Antipodes have a smoother and more voluptuous sound but that does come at the expense of a measure of precision and transparency. You can also move in the opposite direction, with more precise and articulate sound that can be obtained by using UPnP, and the best option at the MU1’s price point would be the XACT S1.